What the Blog For?

"Just one of those days".
Caricature postcard series by J.M.Orise
(aka: J.S.Cabana)

I have too many blogs!

A platform is important for an artist in any medium. But how many? Two FaceBook pages, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn. Somehow, YouTube and Google+ slipped in!

Enough already!

Okay, calm down.

I taught computer science for over twenty years. FaceBook can't be difficult to use—can it? In a public school, FaceBook, YouTube and similar sites were blocked to protect students from unsuitable posts. Result: I also avoided these sites.

Now, here I am creeping through a jungle of strangers, links, ads, add a friend links, etc... . My students did this at home! Alone! In their rooms at night! The promise for a secure account added to their enthusiasm to commit themselves. Why not? No one sees their posts unless they are a friend... .

Possible artifice in social networking emphasizes caution. The same caution I preached to my students. As their eyes rolled upward, I asked how many experienced a best friend's betrayal? So why trust everybody who claimed to be a friend with the click of a link?

Perhaps a "can assist" or a "can sponsor" link is needed instead? "Friend" sounds too intimate, too demanding. Will you ignore three hundred friends for the sake of maybe, ten—I mean really good friends? How do you make it up to those "friends" you have ignored. What will they think? How about a "Deal With It" or "Sorry" link. Depends on your temperament.

Once I've authored a post, I hesitate. Am I ready to post? Days later, I press the post button. Perhaps someone will read this one.

Comments? Barely anyone bothers. I've bumped into people who report, "Hey, I read your blog! My husband laughed. He though it was pretty funny." But there are no comments. Not even a g+1. "Like." What is that? Oh, yeah. It's a way to receive RSS feedback whenever clicked at someone's post.

I am an artist. Do you know how difficult it is for an artist to write about what is going on? Artists are private people—well, a lot of them are. I spend hours at the easel or at the computer composing a story, or editing pictures, and back at the easel touching up a painting because I had a better idea. No one is there to tell me what to do. No one drops in. Friends? Where are they when I get happy or frustrated. How about a slap on the "Like" or "You Done Good ;-)" link. Not the same as a slap on the back is it? Psychology 101 emphasizes touch is important in any relationship. Hugs. Perhaps I should hug my PC when I see a "Like" designation for one of my posts.

Research indicates I need a platform. Without it, no one will find me interesting and I may never get to publish a novel, or sell it either. Who made these rules? If I create art or stories and am serious about my craft, why does the public have to know what I am doing Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 2:30 PM?

I think about goings on in this world: the wars, the ecology, the economy, the tragedy, the politicians who do nothing... .  The President and his many challenges.

Really? You want to be my friend? Comment me already.

Tonight I thought I was on Blogger. I later realized I was on Google+! Looks a lot like Blogger. But less elegant.

Conclusion: I'll have to delete a few accounts. What will I keep? FaceBook, Wordpress and Twitter. Will Blogger have to go? I wish Blogger could automatically send posts to FaceBook as well as Twitter.

My eyelids droop—a reminder of other needs. I am about to fall asleep at the blog wheel. Strap your seat-belt. I'll be back soon. Decisions can not be made in a somnolent state.

Comments? Click the link below.